| Copyright 2005-2008 Dr. Jad Khalaf, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved |
| "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15 |
| HOW FAR IS TOO FAR? BY JAD J. KHALAF “How far is too far physically?” a Christian single may ask. God’s standards, not an individual’s feelings, are the determining factor in answering the question. The Bible has much to say about sexual standards. 1 Peter 1:13-15 challenges to live a holy life and not live according to the former lusts. “(13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 to abstain from fornication or sexual promiscuity. Promiscuity can include a lack of sexual standards, doing what feels right, and going all the way in a dating relationship. God’s command is to flee fornication. An individual’s body is the temple of the Lord; it cost a price, and should glorify God in every aspect of life. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 states: “(18) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body. (19) What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Do not think that living a life of sexual purity involves only touching. The mind and heart should remain pure and free from sinful trash. The Bible says to resist the devil (James 4:7), protect against lustful looks (Job 31:1), and put on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:13). Individuals involved in a dating/courting relationship need to have a dating plan for success and rely on God’s power (Psalm 16:8). God’s Word will guide an individual in establishing how far is too far. The physical affection in a dating/courting relationship may feel right but only adds confusion towards the meaning of love. Society defines sex as love and love as sex. Individuals involved in a dating relationship often mistaken true love for sexual intimacy and physical attraction. Most of the time, a dating relationship begins with physical attraction and then leads to intimacy. The individuals involved in this type of relationship live only for the present. The focus then turns toward the physical aspect of the relationship. Lust can lead to sinful actions. Relationships built on lust determine the relationship’s level of seriousness by the amount of physical display of affection that the male and female display. The physical affection can cause guilt, regret, and disobedience to God. God calls for and demands sexual purity. Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Guard the heart and protect from its sinfulness. The world proclaims, “Follow your heart!” God says, “Follow Me, I know everything!” 1 John 3:18-21 says: “(18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (19) And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (20) For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” BIBLIOGRAPHY Clark, Jeramy. I Gave Dating A Chance: A Biblical Perspective To Balance The Extremes. Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, 2000. Harris, Joshua. I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Romance and Relationships. Sisters, Oregon: Multonmah Publishers, Inc., 1997. |
| Dr. Jad Khalaf |